CHEBARKUL (Chelyabinsk region), Nov 8 - RIA Novosti. Russian specialists have already trained more than 6,000 Tajik military personnel, Alexander Lapin, commander of the Central Military District (CVO), told reporters.
"We are actively working to train military personnel for the Tajik army. This year, Russian instructors have completed the training of about 1 thousand junior specialists of the national armed forces. In total, more than 6 thousand Tajik servicemen have already been trained to date," Lapin said.
He recalled that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had identified the main directions for neutralizing terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan. These are joint exercises on a bilateral basis and within the framework of the CSTO, additional gratuitous supplies of Russian weapons and equipment to equip the Tajik army, training of qualified local personnel in military universities of the Russian Federation and on the funds of the 201st Russian base, strengthening the combat potential of the base itself and clarifying plans for joint reflection of possible infiltration of militants.
"In order to implement the tasks set, we have already conducted nine international joint exercises of the military contingents of the CSTO member states and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. At the end of the academic year, from November 8 to 12 in the Republic of Tatarstan, we will hold another joint exercise with the Peacekeeping Forces of the CSTO "Unbreakable Brotherhood-2021" with the participation of military contingents of six countries," Lapin stressed.
The 201st military base stationed in Tajikistan is Russia's largest military facility outside of its borders. It is located in two cities - Dushanbe and Bokhtar. It consists of motorized rifle, tank, artillery, reconnaissance units, air defense units, RCB protection and communications.
